The balmy days of summer are here at last, and the calendar pages of the next few months beckon to be filled with days of fun – a weekend at the beach, or a trip to visit friends and family. Although they are meant to be a time to recharge and relax and lighten one’s spirits, summer vacations can weigh heavily on a vacationer’s purse strings without careful planning.  The word vacation stems from the latin word vacare, which means “to be empty” or “to be free of”something.  Here are some ideas to make sure that your upcoming vacation is free from worry and stress, and that your bank account is not “empty” upon your return home.

The first cardinal rule of vacationing debt-free is to only carry cash. Don’t worry: this no longer means you have to wade through a wad of wrinkled greenbacks when its time to pay the bill. These days, cash comes in a variety of forms, including pre-paid debit cards and travelers checks. It is best to avoid using a card attached to your checking account, especially if you have outstanding checks or debits that have yet to be reflected in your balance. The last thing you will want to spend your time doing, while enjoying your debt-free and stress-free vacation, is calling your bank or checking your account balance on the internet every five minutes. Instead, pay in advance for hotel reservations and car rentals, using your checking account debit card.  Then, load money onto a pre-paid travel debit card which is not linked to your checking account which will be used for all other incidentals, including food and entertainment.  The Visa TravelMoney card is a good option, which allows travelers to access local currency from ATMs worldwide, as well as protects them from theft, and even reimburses up to $250 per trip for lost luggage.  If you do prefer to use bills, it could be helpful to get some cash envelopes from the bank when you make your withdrawal, and separate the money into different envelopes for each day or part of the trip.  The envelopes have a space on the front where you can write the date or the amount of money left in the envelope, or whether the money is to be used for dinner out or scuba lessons.

Eating out at restaurants is a surefire way to spend your money too quickly. Make reservations at one or two of the restaurants that you don’t want to miss, but then plan on preparing your own meals in your condo’s kitchen, on the grill, or even bring a picnic basket to the beach instead of buying lunch.  Making your own food is also the best way to explore local fresh foods.  Wherever your travels may take you, there is sure to be a roadside stand of fresh vegetables, freshly caught seafood, or perhaps a local market.  It can be a fun adventure to  put together meals with your friends, family, and loved ones, while saving money and enjoying a healthy fresh meal.  Breakfasts that consist of baked goods from a local bakery and tropical or exotic local fruits are sure to appease anyone’s desire to change out of their pajamas to dine at an expensive restaurant.  You will be able to enjoy a gourmet meal that makes everyone else jealous, and save enough money for tomorrow’s adventures.  At the end of the day, what could be better than a relaxing cookout by the pool, or on the deck of your rental house?  By not going out to eat at night, you will save money by not paying for parking or for an expensive cab fare if you decide to have a celebratory round of drinks. 

There are many ways to avoid emptying your pockets while traveling, and still have the time of your life.  With a little creativity and choosing to spend on the things that are most important, you will not only avoid accumulating debt from overly expensive vacations, you will enjoy a quieter and more unique vacation with your friends and family.